Three Wrasse Fish Species Found in the Laccadive Sea

Context

Recently, A study Published in Journal Corals Reefs shows that Three fish species that live in the Laccadive Sea, are capable of using tools.

What are three new Wrasse Fish Species?

Wrasse Fish

  • Three New Wrasse Fish Species Spotted using tools: 
    • The Jansen’s wrasse (Thalassoma jansenii), 
    • The checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) 
    • Moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare).
  • These species used ‘live or dead coral structures’ as anvils to break the hard shells of sea urchins so they could get to the edible bits inside
    • Predators of Sea Urchins:  All three species were recorded carrying the assay urchins to a nearby coral or benthic substrate and striking them repeatedly to break off their spines and crack their tests before consuming them.

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About Wrasse Fish

  • Wrasse fish are small marine fishes, identified by their vivid and detailed colors, such as the moon and cuckoo wrasse.
  • Wrasse fish has a small mouth when compared to the size of the body &  very strong teeth that tend to jut out of their thick lips.

Sea Urchin

  • They  belong to a group of marine invertebrates called Echinodermata, which means spiny-skinned (Animals in this group are known as echinoderms &  include sea cucumbers, sea lilies, brittle stars and starfish etc)
  • These are important herbivores on coral reefs, and in some ecosystems they play a critical role in maintaining the balance between coral and algae. 

Wrasse Fish

Why Does Finding Matter? 

  • To know habitat use by fish, 
  • To study about the development of Animal intelligence, 
  • To know the Predator-Prey interactions.
Also Read: The Coral Fort Initiative

 

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UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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